Defense remains area of concern for Denver Nuggets

Opponents have scored 100-plus in 13 of past 14 games

Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried protects the rim in Denver's game against Milwaukee on Feb. 5.

Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images

There’s no defending the numbers. The Denver Nuggets continue to struggle on defense.

After allowing the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers to record season-high point totals, the Nuggets have given up at least 100 points in 13 of their past 14 games. The opposition is averaging 112.8 points during that span.

“Our defense has been a problem for us all year long,” coach Brian Shaw said after Monday’s 119-80 loss to the Pacers. “Until we start getting mad and taking more pride in our individual matchups, it’s going to be a long, long year for us.”

The Pacers shot .575 from the field, a season-high by a Denver opponent – topping the .565 that the New York Knicks recorded just three days earlier. Four of past five opponents have shot .500 or better.

“We have to be more aggressive and not let it be so easy for the other team to score,” forward Wilson Chandler said. “We have to just play harder. That’s the first step. We have to be ready. It’s too deep into the season for us not to be.”

With one game remaining before the All-Star break, the Nuggets (24-26) are six games out of the eighth spot in the Western Conference. They conclude their four-game road trip Wednesday at Minnesota.